Reflections on James

                                             JAMES
Chapter 1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,


Joy- (chara) 
1) joy, gladness
1a) the joy received from you
1b) the cause or occasion of joy
 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

Trials- (peirasmos)

 
1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving
1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal_4:14)
1b) the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy
1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances
1b2) an internal temptation to sin
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10


Reflection: How can any of the trials I go through even compare to what Christ went through on the cross? Who am I to complain when God's perfect son suffered at my expense? I have a loving Father was is always with me and continually supplies me with His strength and power.


3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Steadfastness- (hupomonē)  1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance
1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings
1b) patiently, and steadfastly 2) a patient, steadfast waiting for
3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

 

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matt. 10:22 
Reflection: Has the testing of my faith produced endurance? If the testing of my faith produces endurance, shouldn't I look in anticipation of the testing that comes my way? It goes against everything in me to want to be tested. I ask the Lord not to let certain thngs come my way. Why is that? Am I afraid that the God of the Universe who knows every hair on my head doesn't know what is best for me?
Haven't I always looked back at times of testing and seen what a mighty work He has done in me? Help me to trust You more.

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Perfect- (teleios)
1) brought to its end, finished
2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness
3) perfect
4) that which is perfect
4a) consummate human integrity and virtue
4b) of men
4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature
Complete-(holoklēros)

1) complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound, complete, entire, whole
1a) of a body without blemish or defect, whether of a priest or of a victim
1b) free from sin, faultless
1c) complete in all respects, consummate

  Reflection: The passage says that we are to let steadfastness have its full effect. It appears that this happens when our faith is tested. We are sanctified more and more as we grow in His character through the various trials He allows to come our way.

   



 


  


 
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